Call for Papers

The CFP is now closed!

We invite submissions from philosophers, psychologists, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and others working on issues related to the scientific study of the imagination. Submissions should be in the form of a 500-1,000 word extended abstract, suitable for a 30-minute presentation, and should be sent to Max.Jones@bristol.ac.uk with the subject line "Science-Philosophy-Imagination Submission" by the deadline of Monday 28th June 2021.

The conference aims to address a broad range of research questions including (but certainly not limited to):

• What is the link between mental imagery and imagination?

• How do people imagine counterfactual scenarios, and how does this relate to philosophical thought?

• Is imagination embodied?

• What are the methodological issues with the scientific study of the imagination?

• Is the imagination rational?

• How can 4E approaches to the mind impact on our understanding of imagination?

• How can the predictive processing framework impact on our understanding of the imagination?

• What are the underlying mechanisms of imagination?

• Is imagining a natural capacity or a culturally-mediated practice?

• How can the imagination provide one with knowledge?

• Is there a unified capacity of imagination or are there many distinct capacities?

• How did a mind that evolved to act in the here and now develop the capacity to creatively imagine radical departures from reality?